Ganderbal, Jan 25: After a long wait, the much-awaited bridge in Akhal area of Kangan in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district was officially opened to the public on Saturday.
The Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, led by the Executive Engineer (Exen) and other senior officers, opened the bridge for public in a simple ceremony.
The foundation stone for the bridge, which connects several villages in Kunmul-Akhal and its adjoining areas, was laid in 2008. However, the project faced numerous delays, leaving residents eagerly disappointed.
Last year, MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali, had assured the public that the bridge would soon be operational. “I remain committed to reshaping the development of Akhal and its neighbouring areas as promised during my election campaign,” the MLA had stated in last year, during his election campaign.
The reopening of the bridge has been met with immense joy and relief by the local population. Speaking on the occasion, a resident expressed their happiness: “It is great movement for us that this bridge has finally reopened. We had prayed to see this day, as we have been waiting for it for the past 15 years. Today is a day of joy for all the residents of Akhal and the surrounding areas.”
The Akhal bridge is expected to significantly enhance transportation, boost economic activity, and improve the quality of life for thousands of people in the district. Locals believe the bridge will serve as a vital connection, fostering development and bringing much-needed progress to the area.
Locals further said that the bridge now open for traffic, the long-standing connectivity issues faced by the residents are to be resolved now.
Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the R&B Division Kangan, Mohd Amir, stated that the Akhal bridge has been opened on a trial basis. He added that the move aims to ease the inconvenience faced by locals in the area and provide temporary relief while ensuring the bridge’s functionality is thoroughly tested.
